Gisèle Pelicot Named Time’s Woman of the Year 2025

The French survivor and advocate gained global recognition for her decision to make her sexual assault trial public, challenging societal stigma and inspiring legal reforms.

Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old French survivor of sexual violence, was honored by Time magazine for her courage in publicly pursuing justice against her abusers.
Pelicot chose to forgo anonymity in her trial, ensuring the high-profile prosecution of her ex-husband and 50 other men who were convicted of sexual assault, with sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years.
Her decision to make the trial public aimed to shift the shame from victims to perpetrators, sparking widespread support and making her an international symbol for women’s rights.
The Avignon trial has prompted debates in France’s parliament over potential legal reforms to address the low prosecution rates for sexual violence cases in the country.
Pelicot shares the Woman of the Year recognition with 12 other honorees, including Nicole Kidman and activists like Fatou Baldeh, with their stories featured in Time’s March 10 issue.